BMORENEWS.com

This week the weather has impacted all aspects of Maryland. The back-to-back snowstorms have severely curtailed the ability of all citizens to go about their daily lives.

Nevertheless, the snow also has brought out the best in many of us. Neighbors helped neighbors dig out driveways, snow-covered cars and sidewalks. The people assisting other community members who need help during these difficult weather conditions are to be commended.

In spite of the snow, we have managed to have our daily sessions and try our best to keep movement in Annapolis. I am looking forward to a warm spell to melt the snow as we will be scheduling the hearings for election law bills in the coming weeks. If there is one piece of positive news due to the snow, it is that the Board of Public Works had to postpone its vote on a supplemental appropriation on the touch screen voting systems. After our briefing with the State Board, there are questions as to whether its contract for the voting system is fraught with unnecessary expenses. I am hopeful that we can get to the bottom of this so that the Board of Public Works has full information before approving more spending and before any unfavorable contracts are accepted.

Again, I want to thank all of the men and women in our state and county governments who have worked tirelessly to plow our streets, restore electrical service, operate public transportation and dig out our schools. A big thank you to the uniformed men and women of the police department, fire department, ambulance service, and National Guard who have gone above and beyond to keep us safe and rescue those in need.  

Thank you to the doctors, nurses and support staff at our hospitals who stayed on the job as long as was necessary until replacement staff could make it in to care for our sick and injured. Finally, to everyone else who worked through the storm or simply heeded the call to stay at home and keep the roads clear, your efforts, no matter how large or small, contributed to the statewide effort to overcome the unprecedented "Snowmageddon" that we have experienced during the past week.

I look forward to communicating with you during the 2010 legislative session in my weekly report. If you wish to be removed from this email list, please click the link at the bottom of this email.

Working hard for Maryland,

Jon S. Cardin

If you have any questions, please visit my website.